Federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged Ceglia last fall, saying he tried to swindle Facebook and founder Mark Zuckerberg out of part of the company by doctoring a 2003 contract. That contract is the basis of Ceglia's 2010 civil suit.

Ceglia's lawyer, Joseph Alioto, asked a judge in Buffalo Friday to suspend the criminal case until the civil action is over, arguing it's interfering with the suit. The judge reserved decision.

A magistrate judge's recommendation that the civil case should be dismissed is pending.